Month: June 2016

The cows went straight up the road to Beth-shemesh. They stayed on the one highway, lowing as they went; they never strayed to the right or to the left. The Philistine rulers were walking behind them to the territory of Beth-shemesh. 1 Samuel 6:12 HCSB

On family vacation we decided to take a horse ride. We all mounted the big animals and began our ride behind one of the guides with his horse. At one point on the trail my wife’s horse decided he was no longer going to go. He stopped and no matter how much coaching my wife did, he would not move. It was not until the guide came back and took the horse by the reins that he started to move. Animals are unpredictable. At times they seem to have a mind of their own. But God, the creator of all animals, has everything under control and even the animals obey His commands.

Without any guidance the cows quietly made their way to Israel. It would have been natural for the cows to stray into a field to eat or even stop since they did not have someone guiding them. Only God has the power to cause this to happen. We are reminded of how Jesus calmed the sea and caused the disciples to catch a large amount of fish. God is in control of every aspect of creation including the cows, fish, and even the winds. God did not do this to pass the test of the Philistines but rather to show that He is the one true God that has power over all other gods and even the animals of the world.

Challenge: God has everything under control, even when it seems things are falling apart. Listen to the new song by Casting Crowns titled “Just Be Held” that encourages us to “stop holding on and just be held” and “your world isn’t falling apart, it’s falling into place” on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIZitK6_IMQ

Then they put the ark of the Lord on the cart, along with the box containing the gold mice and the images of their tumors. 1 Samuel 6:11 HCSB

Have you ever felt guilty about something you did? Have you ever wondered if negative consequences were a result of your disobedience or not doing what you knew was right? We have all sinned and the consequences of our sin can sometimes be hard and painful.

The Philistines had experienced the consequences of their sins for seven months and wondered if it was the result of them having the Ark of God in their possession. The priests and diviners devised a plan to see if the Lord of the Ark of God had actually caused the tumors and recent problems or if it was just a coincidence. The plan was to yoke two female cows that had just had calves to a cart with the Ark of God and then pen up the calves. The natural instinct of the cows would be to stay with their calves. Therefore, if the Lord of the Ark of God was more powerful than the natural instincts of the cows, the cows would return to the land of Beth-shemesh with the Ark of God. They would then know that the recent problems had come from the God of the Israelites. They sent a guilt offering of gold rats and images of the tumors they had experienced in hope that the Lord of the Ark of God would have mercy on them and remove the problems they had been experiencing.

Challenge: Do not put God to a test. Read God’s Word and pray to know His plan and will for your life. Always honor, respect, and worship God alone. Seek to do what is right in His eyes.

The Lord’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod, terrorizing and afflicting the people of Ashdod and its territory with tumors. 1 Samuel 5:6 HCSB

I do not remember but my parents tell me of a time when I was just old enough to reach the table and I reached up and accidentally pulled a bowl of hot gravy onto my face and hands. My parents rushed me to the hospital where the doctor told them to put some ointment on my face. I was told that my whole face was one big burn that turned to a scab. My parents had instructed me to stay away from the table, but I disobeyed. The result of my disobedience was pain and suffering.

Pain and suffering is usually the cost of disobeying our parents or God. The pain may not be in the form of a burned hand or face but God allows some pain and suffering in our lives to help remind us of the importance of obeying and worshiping Him alone. God allows the suffering to bring about change in our lives and to make us more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

The Ark of God represented God and any attempt to put other gods before the one true God resulted in pain and suffering. The people of Ashdod replaced Dagon back to his original place of honor. God brought justice by afflicting them with tumors. Some Biblical scholars think that it may have been bubonic plague that God brought on the people of Ashdod.

Challenge: God alone deserves our praise, honor, and attention. You may not have a statue or graven image as a god, but by your actions you may be declaring that other things take priority in your life over God. These “other things” become your god. Evaluate what other gods need to be removed from your life. Pray and ask God to help you focus on Him and make Him the Lord in every area of your life.

After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod, brought it into the temple of Dagon and placed it next to his statue. When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen with his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place. But when they got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen with his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. This time, both Dagon’s head and the palms o f his hands were broken off and lying on the threshold. Only Dagon’s torso remained. 1 Samuel 5:1-4 HCSB

Dagon was the chief god of the Philistines. They believed that he sent rain and assured them of a bountiful harvest. The Philistines also worshiped other gods. They thought that the more gods they had on their side, the more victories and success they would enjoy. Since the Ark of God had brought victories to the Israelites, they assumed it would also help them.

Notice that the Scriptures tell us that the people got up early in the morning. This indicates that no one would have bothered the statue of Dagon during the night, therefore it was the act of the One true God of the Israelites that toppled the statue of Dagon. He was face down facing the Ark of God in a position of worship and reverence, indicating that the God of the Israelites was greater than Dagon. The God of Israel is the Lord of lords and the King of kings. No other god is greater.

Challenge: The God of Israel is the Lord of lords and King of kings. Have you made Him the Lord and King of your life? How many gods do you have in your life? There should be no other gods before the one true God.

Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and He fulfilled everything Samuel prophesied. 1 Samuel 3:19 HCSB

Today, my father-in-law celebrates his 88th birthday. Last week we celebrated my grandson’s first birthday. He has grown so much in one year, but he has so much more to grow. Hopefully, our grandson will someday celebrate his 88th birthday like his great-grandfather. Physically our bodies are designed to grow until we reach adulthood, but they continue to change over the years and mentally we continue to learn and grow. Spiritually, we all should be growing to become more like Jesus Christ. My father-in-law sets the example of what it means to follow Christ and minister to others. On his 88th birthday he is at Extreme Build with Habitat for Humanity for ten days helping to build a home for someone in need. Each week he volunteers with Habitat for Humanity three or four days a week helping to provide housing for the needy. I hope that when I am 88 I will still be going strong, growing spiritually, serving the Lord, and ministering to others like my father-in-law.

This verse tells us that Samuel grew. This meant he grew physically, but note that the next part of the verse says, “the Lord was with him”. Evidently Samuel also grew spiritually. The Lord was with him because Samuel was willing to receive and follow God’s plans and direction for His people. This type of obedience is important to growing spiritually. God blessed Samuel because of his faithfulness to follow Him.

Challenge: Are you growing spiritually? Is God with you? Are you willing to receive and follow God’s plan and direction for your life? God desires your obedience. God blesses those who are obedient and faithful. That does not mean a person will not have any problems, but God desires to bless those who willingly follow Him. Volunteer to help or give to support Habitat for Humanity.

The Lord came, stood there, and called as before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel responded, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10 HCSB

When we call someone on the phone we expect them to answer and talk to us. Seldom is it a one way conversation with only one person doing all the talking. One of the things I have learned about prayer is that too many times people talk to God and make their requests for what they would like for God to do but then they say “Amen” and the prayer is over. Prayer is intended to be a two way conversation. We need to stop and listen for God to speak to us.

Eli instructed Samuel to say to the Lord when He called again, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” It is important to ask God to speak. We need to stop and listen to what God is saying and then strive to implement what God’s plan and desire is for our lives.

Challenge: When was the last time you actually took time to stop and ask God to speak to you? Are your conversations with God a one way street? The next time you pray take a few minutes to just be quiet and listen to what God has to say. Ask God to share His plan for your life.

Then the Lord called Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.” He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “I didn’t call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. 1 Samuel 3:4-5 HCSB

Unfortunately, the pastor at the first church I served out of seminary died unexpectedly. He was only 46 years old and had four children. The church called an interim pastor to serve while the pulpit committee searched for a new pastor. One of the trademarks of the interim pastor was to stop at some point in his sermon and say, “Are you listening?” That would get everyone’s attention so he could make an important point.

Samuel was listening but did not realize that it was the Lord that was calling him. He immediately went to Eli because he would have been the most logical person to call him. Sometimes God works in mysterious ways. It would have been more logical for the Lord to call Eli since he was the priest, but God is more concerned about one’s faith rather than heritage or position in society.

Challenge: God called Samuel rather than Eli because Samuel had the right attitude and desire. What can you do to become that type of person – the type of person that God calls? How can you better discern when God is calling you? When God calls, will you recognize His voice and follow His direction for your life? God wants people like Samuel who are faithful and committed to living for Him. “Are you listening?”

The boy Samuel served the Lord in Eli’s presence. In those days the word of the Lord was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread. 1 Samuel 3:1 HCSB

It is hard for me to understand why the unemployment rate is so high when everywhere I look there are signs that say, “Help Wanted” or “Hiring”. There are even advertisements for jobs in the paper and on television. It seems that there are plenty of jobs, but the people just do not want to do the job that is available.

In the church there are many jobs, however it seems there is always a shortage of leadership, especially in the preschool and children’s area. As a youth pastor and now as an education pastor, it has always been a challenge to enlist and train qualified leaders. Samuel was serving the Lord by assisting Eli. He was serving God under Eli’s direction. Volunteers in the church serve the Lord under the direction of the pastor or minister for various areas of ministry.

Challenge: Where are you serving the Lord? All church members should be involved in three ways: 1. Worship 2. Bible Study 3. Service. Service is important to the growth of disciples of Jesus Christ. Discover your spiritual gifts by completing the spiritual gifts survey at http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_MYCS_030526_Spiritual_Gifts_Survey.pdf Then talk to your minister about where would be the best place for you to serve in your church. Where can God best use your skills and abilities to bring honor and glory to His kingdom?

The boy Samuel served the Lord in Eli’s presence. In those days the word of the Lord was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread. 1 Samuel 3:1 HCSB

I have observed first-hand the development of the phone. The first phone my family had was the old rotary style. I remember going to the World’s Fair in Seattle, Washington, in 1962 where I saw the first push button phone and experienced how much faster it was to use than a rotary phone. I purchased my first cell phone in 1993. It was about six inches long and approximately three inches wide with an antenna and a battery bag. Then came the flip phone, followed by the Blackberry. I now have an iPhone that not only serves as my phone but also has a camera and has more storage space than my first computer. I receive text messages, read my email messages, and can even FaceTime with my grandchildren. It is amazing how the phone has developed over the years, but it is of no benefit unless the person I call actually answers and talks with me. Communication is a two way street.

This verse reminds us that the Word of the Lord was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread. Why was it rare to get a message from God in those days? God had spoken directly to Moses and Joshua, but His word had become rare. The people were evil and did not seek God. Even Eli’s sons had rejected God and were greedy. Communication was poor between the people and God, therefore their line of communication was broken.

Challenge: We must pray and talk to God and then we must listen and be willing to act upon what God tells us to do. Ask God to speak to you through His Word, through the Holy Spirit, and through your friends and family. How are the communication lines between you and God? Are you willing to listen and act upon what He reveals to you?

I prayed for this boy, and since the Lord gave me what I asked Him for, I now give the boy to the Lord. For as long as he lives he is given to the Lord: Then he bowed in worship to the Lord there. 1 Samuel 1:27-28 HCSB

The Bible teaches us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. As we give we are more like God, who has given His Son to die on the cross so our sins might be forgiven and that we can enjoy eternal life in heaven. I have had the privilege of giving away several sets of golf clubs that my father made. When he retired he began to put golf clubs together as a hobby. I inherited his clubs and many have sat in my garage for years. I have now learned how to make golf clubs and have put together my first set. Some sets have sentimental value because my father made them, but the clubs are doing no one any good sitting in my garage. It is very satisfying to be able to help someone else and to know that the clubs my father made are being put to good use.

Hannah gave up what she wanted the most – her son. She dedicated Samuel to the Lord and His service. Samuel was a gift from God, so in a way Hannah was only returning what God had given to her. These verses illustrate the need for us to give back to God. God has so richly blessed most of us. The least we can do is to give some back to God. He owns everything and does not have need of anything, but we need to learn the principle of giving.

Challenge: Do your gifts to God cost you anything? Are they gifts of sacrifice or are you presenting God with your leftovers and only a token of your appreciation for what He has done for you? God desires our best, not our leftovers. Thank Him for all of the many blessings you have experienced.